The Trade Union Leaders in Distress

The union leaders are on the verge of consolidating their power within the unions and disenfranchising the members. In return for the fact that the economic situation of workers has deteriorated enormously in comparison to the entrepreneurial class during the war, union members are expected to pay higher contributions. The union officials want to claim the right to use these funds entirely for themselves. The executive committee of the woodworkers recently intended to propose to its members that the money which they had previously accumulated and used at their own discretion be taken out of the hands of the local groups. A national conference of the woodworkers somewhat curtailed this plan of the union officials. Now, the executive committee of the factory workers' union has made a proposal to the upcoming union congress that if local groups are dissolved or separated, their funds must be transferred to the main treasury, for which the help of the civil court should be called upon if necessary. The main board of the factory workers has such a poor view of its own activities that it believes that the union members could leave it in clusters or local groups.

The trade union leaders were aided in their plight by Adolf Braun, who edited the Nuremberg organ of the government socialists. He has published a brochure entitled: “Trade union dispute and trade union struggle”. Right at the beginning, Mr. Braun says that he does not want to examine whether the discontent and dissatisfaction of the union members is justified and understandable. However, he then concludes that “in comparison with the tasks facing the trade unions after the war, the possible sins of the trade union leaders shrink to insignificance and insignificance”.

Mr. Braun had his brochure published in a better and cheaper edition. The latter is intended for mass distribution; he will certainly do good business with it. The union leaders will reach into their coffers and distribute this brochure at the expense of the union members to justify themselves. What Braun writes is nothing new. It is a common saying that the workers must be united and that they have great tasks ahead of them after the war.

Anyone who wants to write a pamphlet today about the disputes in the trade unions and claim to be taken seriously must examine whether the principles and methods of the trade union leaders during the war were suitable for improving the economic situation of the workers. He must also examine whether these principles and methods are suitable for promoting the economic advancement of the working class in comparison to the employers in the future peacetime.

But that is precisely what Mr. Adolf Braun wants to avoid. Just not to examine objectively whether the trade unions were active to the detriment or benefit of the working class during the war. That must remain a “don't touch me” flower. The best thing for the trade union leaders is to refrain from an objective examination of their activities, but to beat the unity drum with as much noise as possible.

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Editor's note: For the left-wing radical party, the trade unions with their principles and methods have long been finished. Our demand, the Unitary Organization, will break through after the war and enlighten the minds of the workers.